This Bible is exactly what I have been looking for! Lightweight, about an inch thick, larger print, REAL leather, and very little ghosting. I have a MacArthur Study Bible which is very good, but wanted a lighter weight Bible that I can carry or just read and enjoy. Christian Book website is so good in that the descriptions of their products are thorough and there are usually many reviews available for the shopper. Prices are also very competitive. I'm sure I will purchase from them again, and would recommend this retailer to anyone!!

First Off - The paper quality. I do not recommend you mark in this Bible at ALL. The pages are too thin. If you MUST mark verses and make notes - then use a colored pencil only as anything else will bleed through. The pages are durable enough (for Chinese paper) for daily use but if you try marking on them the writing instrument will probably tear the paper. That being said the thin paper does have a utility. The compact, lightweight size. You could put this Bible in a gym bag, purse, backpack, or carry on and not even notice it.

The type size is not too bad either. I wear bi-focals and I can read it just fine. The type is dark enough and I have not seen any pages where the ink is faded or not clear enough.

The references are outstanding. The Literal meanings of the Greek and Hebrew are printed in the center column reference - along with scriptures references. That is one area where the much vaunted ESV is sorely lacking. If the NASB translators depart for the sake of English usage from any literal translation of the Hebrew or Greek they have put an alternate reading in the References. That way you get the best of both worlds - a Literal translation of the original text AND an understandable English rendition of what the original said.

Binding quality? Sewn binding as advertised and not glued in. Whewh! Yeah I always check for sewn bindings too. Those cheap glued bindings never last long at all. Why do they still make them that way?

BE AWARE of the year of the review you are reading to make sure it is the same Bible.

I bought one of these Bibles roughly 3 years ago (from 3/2016). And that Bible (the older one) has a spine of almost 1 3/4 inches.

(The one I have is calfskin - very nice.)

And that is because the paper is fabulous; white white, thick and you can use any kind of highlighter without bleed through.

I'm not sure of the exact year, but they CHANGED the paper!! and now the Bible spine is only 1 1/4 inches.

So if the older reviews talk about the quality of the paper, the thickness of the paper, the ability to use highlighters - you won't get that NOW.

There is much more ghosting in the newer version with the thinner paper. And the text is not as clear in the newer ones.

The older Bibles with the thicker paper are amazing. In fact I panicked when I found out they changed the paper and not quite a year ago I bought

one of the older ones (before they changed the paper) on ebay (calfskin) for more than twice of what they originally sold for...no regrets.

Having said that, since the thicker paper is not an option any more, this Bible has some nice features.

It is NOT ultrathin, rather a standard size Bible, but it is not too big for everyday reading or taking to church.

But it probably won't be the Bible you take on the bus or to the Dr office - look at the dimensions to decide.

The FONT size is 10 and therefore right on the cusp for me. But a nice size for those with good eyes.

A 10 Font is not giant print, just considered large print. But sure you know what you want before you order.

The Color Maps in the back are nice and easy to see.

Almost all Bibles have too many references for me - I'd rather have plain margins and columns to write my own notes.

But if you like References, there are plenty!

At the end of the book the rest of the page is blank; a new book starts a new page. So there is some room to write in. Although I don't know with the thinner paper how bad the bleed through would be. Try the micron pens.

I would not buy this Bible with the thinner paper. I would buy an Allan Bible, their paper is thicker than in this Bible. But I know cost is a factor.